Freedom for Freedom
(Evening Service)
Text: Galatians 5:1-15
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the source of freedom for a Christian. But do we actually feel free? For many of us, we feel a constant pressure to perform, to do, to accomplish, and to earn. And we spend our lives trying to measure up, yet always seeming to fall short. This struggle has left us feeling tired, heavy, fearful, fake, guilty, and worn-down. If we’re honest, some of us don’t feel free at all. In the book of Galatians, Paul offers us a deep look into the freedom that Christ offers, in hopes that it might draw our hearts out of slavery back to where we belong.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
(Galatians 5:1–15 ESV)”